ATLANTA, GA. (March 29, 2016) —From the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta, the Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy applauded new steps announced by the President today and encouraged continued bipartisan action to confront America's prescription opioid and heroin crisis.

"The opioids crisis is waking America up to the pervasive danger of addiction," said Nick Motu, vice president of the Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy. "It's good that our policymakers are hearing this alarm as well."

"We've been talking about the problem of addiction and the promise of recovery for years, and it is gratifying to see those important issues elevated to the highest stages," said Motu.

"Turning the tide on this public health crisis requires a comprehensive federal response," Motu continued. "Many of these proposals mirror the policy priorities we outlined at the Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy, and represent strong steps forward."

The Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy applauded steps like establishing a Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force and implementing "parity" in Medicaid, as well as the announcement by 60 medical schools that they will start requiring medical students to take some form of prescriber education.
"One of the most significant things we can do to address addiction is to add robust curriculum to our medical schools," Motu said. "We'd eventually like all 164 medical schools to include in their core curriculum training on opioid prescribing and addiction more generally.

"More than 20 million Americans have substance use disorders, which affect all aspects of their health," said Motu. "All doctors, nurses, dentists and other providers need to understand addiction so they can help their patients."

About the Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy
Our mission is to provide a leading national voice on all issues related to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery and to facilitate conversation among those in recovery, those still suffering and society at large. We are committed to smashing stigma, shaping public policy and educating people everywhere about the problems of addiction and the promise of recovery. The Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy is part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit treatment provider. With a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center, the Foundation has 16 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas. Learn more at www.HBFinstitute.org and on Twitter@hazldnbettyford.

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and
communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation's largest
nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding
of the Betty Ford Center. With 17 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York,
Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery
solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.